Ellie Fontes-Fulton, whose encouragement of dialogue about diversity has bolstered the campus's efforts to build a vibrant and respectful community, has decided to retire, effective Feb. 1. Since 1994 Fontes-Fulton has directed the Office for Diversity, Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity, developing programs to support the intent of affirmative action while ensuring the campus's compliance with law and university policy. "The chancellor and I are indebted to Ellie for her 22 years of service to the campus-service marked by exceptional dedication, insightful leadership and a passionate belief that the campus could achieve its aspirations to become a true community of spirit and purpose, enriched by the diversity of its members," said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Robert Grey. "As director, she weathered dispiriting regental and state policy changes that prevented the consideration of race and ethnicity in admissions and hiring, all the while helping the campus to remain focused on ensuring opportunity for all who aspire to join our community. For that, we are especially grateful." Fontes-Fulton's 40-year higher education career includes 22 years at UC Davis as career counselor, internship coordinator, manager of career recruiting and leader of the campus's affirmative-action and diversity-awareness programs. Previously, she'd worked at American River College and California State University, Sacramento. "I always thought retirement was something other folks did, and now suddenly it is my turn," Fontes-Fulton said. "The new millennium seems like an appropriate time to start a new adventure, but I will miss UC Davis. Like any place with 28,000 people, UC Davis has its share of problems, but most of the people working here are trying to make a difference and, whatever their role, they are the foundation of UCD. "I have had the opportunity to work with some wonderful folks. They share my commitment to the Principles of Community and any successes have been a team effort. I know they will continue to work toward building a diverse campus community." Among her most satisfying accomplishments, she said, are "expanding the diversity framework" with presentations and discussions across the campus; designing the annual Diversity Awareness Facilitator Training Program; effecting the reaffirmation of the UC Davis Principles of Community; and developing effective relationships between student affairs, staff affairs and academic affairs in support of campuswide affirmative action and diversity efforts. A decision about long-term leadership of her office will be made after an administrative review of the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Personnel is completed in March. The report will help determine the optimal organizational structure for the Office for Diversity, Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity. In the interim, the office will be supervised by Senior Administrative Analyst Carol Miller, and the Staff Diversity and Affirmative Action Office will be managed by Associate Vice Chancellor Dennis Shimek, with the assistance of Miller and Michael Sheesley, director of advocacy and research in the Office of Human Resources. Roberto Paez, special assistant to the chancellor and provost on affirmative action and diversity, had been serving as interim director during Fontes-Fulton's recent professional development leave. He will now devote full attention to his special assistant duties.